Author Charlaine Harris Headed to West Ashley

Vampires, werewolves, shape shifters, psychics, demons, fairies and sex, Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse novels pack in everything a fantasy fiction fan could dream of, and next Friday she'll be in West Ashley to talk about the series and launch a national book tour for the latest novel in the series.

"Deadlocked," the 12th book in the series finds psychic heroine Sookie Stackhouse facing yet another new enemy with another mystery to solve.

The books are the basis for the HBO series True Blood, and have garnered Harris a huge fan following.

West Ashley Community Relations Manager Ashley Davey said the store is anticipating 400-500 fans turning out for the book signing and question and answer session with the author, based on the crowds she usually draws at such events.

"We are the largest Barnes & Noble store in the Charleston area," Davey said. "We're not exactly sure why they picked us to go first, but we're glad they did."

The company hosts monthly author events in stores, most of whom are local authors, Davey said, but a few times a year they get national best seller authors as well.

"It will be her first appearance on this book tour," Davey said, noting "Deadlocked" will be released three days prior to the event on May 1.

"We've had a lot of interest so far in the event," she said. "I even got a call the other day from someone in Florida asking for details because they were planning to drive up for the event."

Davey said the Q&A session with Harris will be an uncommon treat for customers.

"She will be speaking too, which isn't typical of an author with a following this big," Davey said. "With crowds that big they usually don't have the time to speak and sign everyone's book."

The event will begin at 7 p.m., Friday, May 4. Barnes & Noble will begin issuing tickets to customers for spots in line at 3 p.m. that day, and tickets are required to participate in the signing event. Tickets will be issued on a first come first served basis, and everyone who gets a ticket will have the opportunity to speak with Harris.

Seating for the discussion portion of the event is also on a first come first served basis, but will not be determined by the tickets for the signing portion.

Customers are limited to two books for the signing, however if someone wants to get more than two books signed they will have to go through the line for each pair of books they wish to get signed. Books must be purchased prior to the signing portion of the event, and customers will need to show their receipts.

Barnes & Noble recommends bringing a camera if you want a photo with Harris.

Correction: In an earlier version of this article we incorrectly reported that "Deadlocked" is the final book in the Sookie Stackhouse series of novels, there will be a 13th novel in the series. We regret the error.